The IJC and You: Get Involved!

"... all parties interested therein shall be given convenient opportunity to be heard..."

- Article XII, The Boundary Waters Treaty 1909

Become involved in the work of the IJC by participating in public consultations and giving your perspective on decisions before the IJC. Before the IJC makes decisions or recommendations, views of all interested parties are considered. The IJC welcomes comments submitted in writing at any time. You are invited to share your perspective on general and specific matters under consideration at public meetings and information sessions, formal public hearings, webinars, and in response to information posted on IJC.org.. The IJC also sponsors conferences, meetings and round table discussions in which members of the public and representatives of community groups and other organizations can take part. The IJC also involves the public by appointing stakeholders to its boards and convening advisory groups.

You are invited to share your perspective on matters that are under consideration on the IJC's public engagement platformwww.ParticipateIJC.org.

The Boundary Waters Treaty stipulates that the IJC provide a convenient opportunity to be heard regarding orders, references, reports, or other matters. Whenever the Commission is asked to make a decision about a dam or other structure in a river or a lake, it asks for views from the public; and the boards that monitor the operation of these dams hold regular public meetings.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement assigns specific roles and functions to the IJC, including consulting regularly with the public and creating opportunities for the Public to raise concerns, tender advice and recommendations to improve the Great Lakes ecosystem. Protecting our shared waters requires cooperation, communication, and collaboration. It is in the spirit of friendship, informed by more than 100 years of experience along transboundary waters, the IJC continually seeks new ways to work with other levels of government and with individuals, research organizations, environmental organizations, unions and the business sector

Learn more about transboundary issues by reading IJC reports and publications on the progress made and the challenges that remain in restoring and protecting the waters along the Canada-U.S. boundary.

We want to hear from you. The IJC relies on the public to notify us of issues and concerns relevant to our mission and mandates so that we can better serve the common interests of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the governments of Canada and the United States.